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Science News for October 20, 2014


Towards controlled dislocations

A group of scientists from the US used atomic-resolution Z-contrast imaging and X-ray spectroscopy to analyze two types of dislocations in CdTe, a binary II-VI semiconductor. The study could lead to improved conversion efficiency in CdTe solar cells and advance understanding of crystal structure defects.

SourceInternational Union of Crystallography·JournalActa Crystallographica Section A·DateOct 20, 2014

Siblings of children with autism can show signs at 18 months

A new study by Yale School of Medicine researchers has found that about 20% of younger siblings of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) will develop the condition by age 3. The study identified specific social-communicative behaviors at 18 months that distinguish infants with ASD from their peers.

SourceYale University·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry·DateOct 20, 2014

Interleukin-27: Can a cytokine with both pro & anti-inflammatory activity make a good drug target?

A new Review article explores the potential to target IL-27-activated mechanisms in diseases such as multiple sclerosis and Crohn's disease. The cytokine's dual anti-inflammatory and proinflammatory activities suggest it could be a significant determinant of inflammatory responses.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalJournal of Interferon & Cytokine Research·DateOct 20, 2014

Scientists create possible precursor to life

Researchers from the University of Southern Denmark discover information strings with peculiar properties that can replicate quickly and efficiently, leading to a self-organizing autocatalytic network. This mechanism has potential value for developing technology based on living processes, such as self-healing devices.

SourceUniversity of Southern Denmark·JournalEPL (Europhysics Letters)·DateOct 20, 2014

Let there be light

Researchers find genetically similar bioluminescent organs in two squid species, suggesting predictable evolution of complex traits. The study's novel bioinformatic approaches indicate that convergent phenotypes are associated with the convergent expression of thousands of genes.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 20, 2014

Physicists build reversible laser tractor beam

Researchers created a reversible laser tractor beam that can repel and attract particles, moving them up to 20 centimeters with a single laser beam. The technique uses energy heating and polarization control to manipulate particles, offering new possibilities for atmospheric pollution control and tiny particle retrieval.

SourceAustralian National University·JournalNature Photonics·DateOct 20, 2014

Mouse model provides new insight in to preeclampsia

A mouse model study suggests that elevated VEGF and sFLT1 levels during pregnancy can lead to preeclampsia-like symptoms and pregnancy loss. The findings highlight the potential consequences of therapies targeting these proteins for treating preeclampsia.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateOct 20, 2014

Why sign rights treaties?

A new study finds that autocratic leaders who sign human-rights treaties do so for domestic political maneuvering rather than economic gains. The researchers analyzed four core treaties and found no evidence of tangible material rewards for ratification.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalInternational Studies Quarterly·DateOct 20, 2014

One in 5 physicians unaware their patients have central venous catheters

A new study by the University of Michigan found that one in five physicians was unaware a patient had a central venous catheter, which can lead to life-threatening complications such as bloodstream infections and blood clots. The study suggests that improving device awareness is crucial for preventing these complications.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·DateOct 20, 2014

Something in the way we move

Researchers found that subjects who walked in a more depressed style experienced worse moods than those who walked in a happier style. This suggests that the way we move can affect our mood and potentially be used as a therapeutic tool for depressive patients.

SourceQueen's University·JournalJournal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry·DateOct 20, 2014

Findings point to an 'off switch' for drug resistance in cancer

Researchers at the Salk Institute have discovered a mechanism for cancer cells to become resistant to chemotherapy, which may lead to a new approach to treating cancer. The study found that variations in breast cancer cells' RNA enable the cancer to evolve and adapt more quickly than previously thought.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 20, 2014

Why your brain makes you reach for junk food

A recent study at McGill University found that people tend to choose high-calorie foods despite being poor at accurately judging calorie content. The study linked brain activity to the ventromedial prefrontal cortex, which encodes value and predicts immediate consumption.

SourceMcGill University·JournalPsychological Science·DateOct 20, 2014

Head Start program benefits parents

A Northwestern University study found that Head Start programs benefit parents' educational status and employment, particularly among African-American parents and those with some college education. The program may provide a platform for expanding parents' own educational opportunities and improving their work-school-family balance.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalJournal of Policy Analysis and Management·DateOct 20, 2014

Tarantula toxin is used to report on electrical activity in live cells

Researchers have developed a novel probe that reports on the electrical activity of cells using tarantula toxin, allowing for the observation of voltage-activated ion channels in live cells. This breakthrough has the potential to help scientists understand the function of specific ion channels and identify drug targets for neurological...

SourceMarine Biological Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 20, 2014

Mummy remains refute antiquity of ankylosing spondylitis

Researchers used CT scans to investigate royal Egyptian mummies from the 18th-20th Dynasties, ruling out signs of ankylosing spondylitis. Instead, they found evidence of diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) in four Pharaohs, suggesting a degenerative spinal condition, not inflammatory arthritis.

SourceWiley·JournalArthritis & Rheumatology·DateOct 20, 2014

Misreporting diet information could impact nutrition recommendations for Hispanics

A new study reveals that both over and under-reporting of food intake can lead to incorrect conclusions about whether individuals are meeting dietary recommendations. The research found that plausible reporters were more likely to meet recommendations for essential nutrients like energy, protein, and fiber.

SourceUniversity of Hawaii at Manoa·JournalJournal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics·DateOct 20, 2014

Winning by losing

Researchers at Vienna University of Technology and Washington University in St. Louis have confirmed a paradoxical laser effect, where energy loss can turn lasers on. By carefully tuning the amount of light lost through a chromium needle, they were able to switch the laser system on.

Scientists unravel the mystery of a rare sweating disorder

A rare genetic disorder called anhidrosis has been linked to a mutation in the ITPR2 gene, which controls calcium release in sweat glands. The study, led by Katsuhiko Mikoshiba and Niklas Dahl, found that a single nucleotide change in the DNA code impairs sweat production, leading to hyperthermia risk.

SourceRIKEN·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateOct 20, 2014

Hungry or not, kids will eat treats

New QUT research found that 100% of three and four-year-olds opted for sweet or savory snacks after a filling lunch, highlighting the risk of unhealthy weight gain. The study suggests that children's ability to self-regulate their food intake may be compromised by frequent exposure to high-calorie foods.

SourceQueensland University of Technology·JournalEating Behaviors·DateOct 20, 2014

Obesity link to increased risk for orthopedic conditions and surgical complications

Obesity affects orthopaedic care, healthcare systems, and individual organs, increasing the risk of musculoskeletal pain, osteoarthritis, and joint injuries. Patients with obesity face higher surgical complication rates, but orthopaedic procedures can minimize pain and improve bone function.

SourceAmerican Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons·DateOct 20, 2014

Fairness is in the brain

Researchers found that the brain's reward centre activates more for fair income distribution, regardless of individual contributions. The study challenges previous findings on inequality and fairness, providing new insights into human behavior.

SourceThe University of Bergen·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 20, 2014

Winning the war against Human parainfluenza virus

New anti-viral drugs and vaccines are urgently needed to combat Human parainfluenza virus, a leading cause of respiratory tract disease in young children. Researchers have identified potent inhibitors that block both cell entry and virion release, offering hope for treatment and prevention.

SourceGriffith University·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 20, 2014